Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-11-23

A dispatch Of the Goth from Bridge
port, Conn, says: ''The building of Bar
mum & Bailey's greatest show on
earth" was entirely destroyed by fire
this evening. Thousands of people were
drawn to the opot by the alarm bells.
In less than thirty minutes the big
building, which was 60Ox20O feet
and two stories in height, was
entirely consumed. The first intima-
sion of the fire was given bv
the roaring of the lions and tigers, which
teemed to realize the impending danger.
Next the elephants struggled in their
chains, but in an incredibly short time
the flames spread from one end Of the
huge structure to the other. There
were six watchmen employed on the
premises, but they were helpless to
check the flames. One of the men
was in the horse building when
his lantern exploded igniting the hay
and straw Five Of the watchmen have
reported, but one is missing. The upper
portion of the building was filled with
hay and all the paraphernalia of the
great show. Before the fire alarm ceased
sounding, the whole building was en-
veloped in fire and no one dared to APP
proach, being fearful of the crazed ami
mails.
Three elephants were burned up and
thirtysix broke from their iastenings
and dashed through the sides Of the
burning building. Their roars and
trumpetings and sounds Of torment were
terrific Six elephants and large hip
popotamus rushed about the streets,
presenting a sickening appear
ance. Their sides were burned
and great pieces of flesh, a foot
square, fell off. Thirty elephants and
one large lion made their escape and
have started across the country toward
Fairfield and Easton. Great alarm has
seized Sc great many residents of the
West End and they have taken refuge
within their houses, with windows
barred.
William Newman, the elephant
trainer, is out Of town, and the keepers
were not able in the excitement to herd
the frightened animals. In the horse
room were all the ring animals, trained
stations, ponies, etc. These were all
burned. In the upper rooms were the
tents, poles, seats, harness, ETC., for the
entire show. and these too were all de-
stroyed. In the cat room were the
birds, monkeys, three rhinoceroses, n.y.
enas, tigers, lions and all the menagerie,
which fell prey to the flames. So rapid
did the flames leap across the main
building that the fremen made no at
tempt to save it, but turned their efforts
upon the chariot buildings and car sheds,
which they succeeded in saving but the
heat was sc intense that this was accom-
plished with the greatest difficulty. The
total loss is estimated at $780, 900, upon
which there was but 800, 1000 insurance.
Before the building went down Bar
NUNS agents were busy making ar
rangements for a new lot of attractions
to supply the loss. Mr.. Brothwell, Mr..
Barnum's Bridgeport agent, stated that
the show building would be rebuilt, but
not in Bridgeport. The great show will
probably 90 to Jersey City, where bet
ter railroad facilities can be had.
A later dispatch says the Waterman
making his rounds discovered the fire
and started to give the alarm, when some
unknown person hit him OH the head
with blunt instrument telling him to the
ground and cutting a number of severe
gashes in his head. He staggered to his
feet and gave the alarm, enabling the 9TH
er watchmen in the building, who were
preparing for bed, to escape One of
the three elephants burned was the
sacred white elephant. The lion which
the police attempted to kill at the time
the fire broke out was afterWard found
in a barn devouring a COW which he had
killed. He was shot. The fire is now
ont